Do I have the necessary number of host controllers to support two kinects while i capture with ipi recorder? I took a screen shot of my device manager but I am unsure still.

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=bgb7up&s=5

Also I have been trying to read through the posts but I am not understanding most of the computer language used. So here are the specs for my computer. In case it will help. I just want to know for definite that i can use two kinect controllers and if not will the laptop i have be able to support an express card( i think its called) or whatever is required so that it can run two kinects.

HP Pavilion dv6-6153cl
-2nd generation Intel Core i7-2630QM Processor 2.0 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.9 Ghz
-Radeon Graphics 6770M
-750 GB (5200RPM Hard Drive)
-8192MB DDR3 SDRAM (2 Dimm)
-WLAN 802.11bgn | 1000 MOW
-Webcam + Fingerprint Reader(problematic??)

My guess (and this is just a guess,) is that this laptop probably isn't up to capturing from two Kinects. The processor is certainly capable but there may be limitations elsewhere.

While it does appear that you have two USB controllers, there is no guarantee that one of the controllers isn't being used by the built-in camera and/or the fingerprint reader. You could disable these devices but that's not a guarantee that the controller will be freed.

Another possible issue is the drive--a 5400 rpm hard disk might not be fast enough to capture continuous streams from two Kinect sensors; besides, this will be the system drive you are recording to, which generally isn't recommended (unless your system drive is an SSD.)

A third issue I see is that this laptop might not feature an ExpressCard slot--at least it is not mentioned in the specs I looked at. This means you probably won't be able to add another controller for either a Kinect or for a faster storage device.

Now, if I'm wrong about the ExpressCard slot, I think it may become possible to use two Kinects, especially if you upgrade the system drive to an SSD or add a second faster drive (assuming the laptops is designed for two drives.)

Sorry, I know that's not what you want to hear. FWIW, I want to be clear that this is just an educated guess though. I have no actual experience with this laptop and I'm not a technician. My guesses are based on my experience with my own laptops, which are older models than what you have. Hopefully somebody better informed will join this thread soon.

G.

_________________
Greenlaw
Artist/Partner - Little Green Dog | My Demo Reels (2013,) (2015,) (2017,) and (2019)

Watch a one minute excerpt on Vimeo now!

Our laptop, HP Envy 17-1193eo can manage two Kinects just fine. There is plenty of USB capability for that, since it can handle up to four PS3 cameras as well. The most critical piece of hardware seems to be the hard drive. There's only one, Hitachi HTS725050A9A364 7200rpm (i.e., not SSD). With four PS3 at least, it started to be the bottleneck when the disk was near full. I cannot be absolutely sure, but your HP looks technically very much similar compared to ours. The slower hard drive might be a problem at some point, I'd recommend an extra internal hard drive for recording if it is possible. Somebody (Greenlaw?) has been successfully using external USB3 drive with laptop, too, if my memory serves me correctly.

I don't think that was me, though it's been a while so let me check that. From what I recall a USB 3.0 drive with a USB 3.0 Expresscard worked better than an external eSATA connected to my very old Dell e1705, and about as well as the tiny 'homemade' RAID enclosure I used to use--but unfortunately, I don't think I was using dual Kinect with this laptop (it's only a duo core system and I think it turned out to have only one built-in USB 2.0 controller.) I know my HP tm2 Tablet PC is probably more capable except it doesn't have an Expresscard slot so I can't use USB 3.0 with it.

But yeah, I think a USB 3.0 Drive with USB 3.0 controller should be able to handle dual Kinect. Hopefully somebody will pop in to confirm. I could test this here but it would be with a desktop not a laptop.

G.

_________________
Greenlaw
Artist/Partner - Little Green Dog | My Demo Reels (2013,) (2015,) (2017,) and (2019)

Watch a one minute excerpt on Vimeo now!